Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has outlined a new policy regarding military service extensions for soldiers upon the completion of their contracts. This initiative guarantees a deferment period, which will vary based on the type of contract, previous service duration, and combat experience.
Fedorov emphasized that the new contract system aims to fairly account for a soldier’s service history. Specifically, the longer the service, the more substantial the guaranteed deferment period. He stated, “For different types of contracts, there will be separate mechanisms for calculating the deferment, taking into account combat experience and years of service. A guaranteed deferment of six months is applicable to all, with additional time depending on the specific contract and length of military service.”
To illustrate how the deferment will be calculated, Fedorov provided an example involving a civilian who signs an infantry assault contract for 14 months and serves four months in combat. This individual would receive a total of 12 months of deferment, resulting in a total document duration of one and a half years.
In contrast, if an active military member signs a contract for 10 months and has been in the defense forces since 2021, the calculation changes. They would receive an additional six months for each year of service since 2022, plus one month for each year served prior to 2022. Consequently, this individual could accumulate a total of three years and seven months of deferment after completing their contract.
Fedorov reiterated the goal of making military service more predictable and equitable, stating, “Those who have defended the country for longer should receive more time to recover after their service ends.” This policy also applies to those with the longest tenures in the defense forces and the most combat experience, with plans for their gradual release from service by the end of the year.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has introduced a new policy that guarantees military service deferments based on service duration and combat experience. This initiative aims to provide fair treatment for soldiers completing their contracts, ensuring longer service results in extended recovery time.